Former M2M boss Alastair MacCallum moves to Hornby’s m/SIX

The&Partnership’s Johnny Hornby is a great snapper-up of unconsidered trifles (he rescued Jonathan Stead’s Rapier some years ago)) and now he’s snapped up M2M’s former CEO Alistair MacCallum as the new CEO of T&P’s WPP-backed media agency m/SIX. Jess Burley remains global CEO of m/SIX (both below).

Omnicom-owned M2M closed last year following a string of account losses. Omnicom also decided to launch its groovy new data-driven US media agency Hearts & Science in the UK, leaving M2M rather friendless.

MacCallum though is highly regarded in the business. Global CEO Burley says: “Alistair brings with him an incredible CV, and will play an important role in building on our continued growth in the UK, helping establish us as a major contender and making a valuable contribution to our clients and our agency culture. He is well-known and loved throughout the industry and we’re extremely lucky to have him join us.”

MacCallum says: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to shape the future and realise the potential of a business that is already enjoying such rapid growth. The combination of a truly integrated independent agency network, aligned with the strength of WPP, means there are incredible foundations in place to deliver against the clear ambition for the business that exists across The&Partnership and GroupM. Their shared vision for m/SIX’s future is very compelling.”

M/SIX is an interesting entity. With 30 offices around the world it claims to offer a unique combination of creative media skills supported by WPP media operation GroupM’s immense buying clout. Its big challenge now is Toyota’s European media which, along with creative, moves into T&P this Spring. Other client include TalkTalk, Lexus, News UK, Virgin Money and Malaysia Airlines.

About Stephen Foster

Stephen is a former editor of Marketing Week and London Evening Standard advertising columnist. He wrote City Republic for Brand Republic and is a partner in communications consultancy The Editorial Partnership.